The Final Chapter - 103rd Email!

大家好! 

Before I acknowledge the ever evident fact that I'm going home, I think I'll say a few words about how absolutely remarkable this past week was. It was one where I faced my fears and worked really hard, and Elder Raymundo and I saw miracles I never thought would happen come to fruition. 

Firstly, we found three new people to teach this week. The first was a referral, a woman requesting we bring her a copy of the Bible. We met with Pearline for the first time earlier in the week, and had a very short by positive conversation about Jesus Christ and how we come to know Him. She accepted both a copy of the Bible and Book of Mormon, and shared with us that her arthritis stopped giving her pain just as we showed up. Coincidence? Not in the slightest. 

On another note, we have added Tina, the dining room manager at 'Loaves and Fishes,' to our teaching pool! We went to help out in her kitchen on Wednesday, and she started talking to us, asking us questions like, "so, what has somebody got to do to join your church?" She has asked this multiple times, but we didn't realize that she was seriously interested. We went to lunch with her on Saturday afternoon, and were able to answer a lot of her questions, particularly about Joseph Smith. That same day, she attended the adult session of Stake Conference with us! She's a really special lady, one of the absolute best people I've met on my mission. I will really miss working with her! 

The greatest miracle of all, though, happened with Sylvia Novero. We had scheduled to go to the Visitors Center with her Friday evening, and we planned to invite her to be baptized while we were there. Just as we were about to leave for Oakland, however,  her friend Sis. Arnold, a member of the Oakley 1st Ward, called and said that Sylvia's daughter had just been taken to the hospital, and we would have to cancel the lesson. We left really disappointed and totally bummed thinking that nothing would come of our night. Minutes later, Sylvia asked us if we would come over to give her a blessing of comfort. We of course said yes, and ran over to Sis. Arnold's house to meet and gave a blessing. Our contact turned into an unexpected opportunity to teach about the Atonement. As we continued to teach, we decided to go right in and share the scriptures that we had planned, and then prepared to invite her to be baptized. At first, I thought we were absolutely crazy for doing that; the woman's daughter just got checked into the psych ward, and now we were supposed to commit her to baptism?! WHAT WERE WE THINKING?! Anyway, we got to bear some powerful testimony, especially Elder Raymundo who shared his powerful conversion experience. It all culminated to Sylvia accepting the invitation to be baptized on November 25th! It was nothing less than a miracle! It was a special moment, and incredible send-off for me. 

What did all of this have to do with? FAITH! COURAGE! TRUST IN THE LORD! These are attributes that I learned to develop this week. I learned that the Spirit of fear is not of God, and when we are scared to do something right, that is Satan influencing us to turn away and hide from a miracle that could increase our testimony or change someone's life. The idea of going home is one that I have been wrestling with for a while now. Its scary to think about, but Elder Raymundo shared something with me I'll never forget. 

"Tell the Demon inside you THEY SUCK, and you are a Child of God!" (I think we could all benefit from that advice. I have a great companion) 

Now that we've addressed the elephant in the room, I guess I better wrap things up. I have thought about the past two years for this entire transfer. This phrase from a song I remember from a High School Dinner Theatre comes to mind.

"I have fought, I have cried,

I've been broke, I've been bruised.

Yet, at the end of the day,

This life is what I still choose."

This mission experience has not been easy. I have faced challenges, rejection, my fears, doubts, and weaknesses almost on a daily basis. However, I have learned to find joy, to love others, to trust in God, and to keep moving forward. This has been an incredible experience for me. I will cherish the chance I had to bear my Savior's name on my chest these past two years as long as I live. 

I know God lives, that He knows and loves me. I know our Savior is the Christ, and that He has walked every path I will ever take in life. I never have to do anything alone. I know God speaks to us today. I love the Book of Mormon, which testifies of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.